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Batman: Dark Moon Rising #1
Batman and the Monster Men
Matt Wagner takes the Dark Knight through his sophomore season in this new trade paperback collecting the 6-issue miniseries!
Batman has spent his first year fighting organized crime — but nothing thus far in his early career as the Caped Crusader has prepared him for the new menace facing Gotham: super-powered villains!
Batman has spent his first year fighting organized crime — but nothing thus far in his early career as the Caped Crusader has prepared him for the new menace facing Gotham: super-powered villains!
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
11 people are currently reading
1603 people want to read
About the author
Matt Wagner
967 books231 followersMatt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist. In addition to his creator-owned series' Mage and Grendel, he has also worked on comics featuring The Demon and Batman as well as such titles as Sandman Mystery Theatre and Trinity, a DC Comics limited series featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
February 5, 2017
poor Hugo Strange! according to one of my closest friends, Wikipedia, the now sadly left behind Mr. Strange was one of Batman's earliest antagonists: he debuted prior to such luminaries as Joker and Catwoman, was sharp enough to deduce Batman's secret identity, and apparently created a whole bunch of, shall we say, "Monster Men". and yet time has not been kind to him, and his infamy has faded. all we are is dust in the wind! unless there is a big screen version of us, I guess.
this title seeks to redress that sad state of affairs, with poor result. set a year after Batman became active, the book tries very hard to capture a sort of retro appeal. unfortunately Matt Wagner - usually an intriguing writer - is surprisingly stale here, resorting to overly familiar characterization that does little to breathe new life into his cast. he does a particularly poor job with the annoying female lead. his art is also decidedly on the mundane side of things with an over-reliance on square jaws, even on his women - rather than looking atypical, the unfortunate Miss Madison ends up looking like Bruce Wayne in drag.
Wagner does try though. he juggles multiple first-person perspectives, to no great interest, but at least he tried to juggle. and despite the mainly unattractive line work, there is the occasional panel here and there with imagery that is bold and compelling. the MVP of Batman and the Monster Men is actually inker Dave Stewart, who shades Wagner's drawings in pleasing tones of gray and mud-brown (plus the occasional mold-green) that create a noirish retro atmosphere sorely lacking elsewhere.
this title seeks to redress that sad state of affairs, with poor result. set a year after Batman became active, the book tries very hard to capture a sort of retro appeal. unfortunately Matt Wagner - usually an intriguing writer - is surprisingly stale here, resorting to overly familiar characterization that does little to breathe new life into his cast. he does a particularly poor job with the annoying female lead. his art is also decidedly on the mundane side of things with an over-reliance on square jaws, even on his women - rather than looking atypical, the unfortunate Miss Madison ends up looking like Bruce Wayne in drag.
Wagner does try though. he juggles multiple first-person perspectives, to no great interest, but at least he tried to juggle. and despite the mainly unattractive line work, there is the occasional panel here and there with imagery that is bold and compelling. the MVP of Batman and the Monster Men is actually inker Dave Stewart, who shades Wagner's drawings in pleasing tones of gray and mud-brown (plus the occasional mold-green) that create a noirish retro atmosphere sorely lacking elsewhere.
November 15, 2010
I thought Matt Wagner did a great job with this! It's a look at a newbie Batman having his first run-in with Hugo Strange. Freaky monster mutations and a peek at the first Batmobile...who could ask for anything more?
June 16, 2019
"He arrives, [clad in] all black and real - no urban myth. And I think of how I spent the better part of the last year trying to uncover his secrets . . . Now, I call him 'friend.'" -- Captain Jim Gordon (GCPD), on his burgeoning 'professional' relationship w/ Batman
Set during those early days in the Dark Knight's crime-fighting career - though the technology displayed is decidedly 21st-century - Monster Men features our title character taking on two factions that are uneasily working together. On the one side there is top Gotham crime boss Sal Marconi and his unending supply of goons, while on the other there is the jealous longtime adversary Professor Hugo Strange (who actually pre-dates appearances by better-known villains Joker and Penguin in the series during the 40's). The titular 'Monster Men' are a trio of genetically-enhanced yet grotesque guys - shades of Frankenstein's monster - turned into mindlessly harsh muscle working for Strange.
It was a pretty tight if not particulary memorable story, featuring Batman performing some actual investigative work along the usual head-bashing. Captain Jim Gordon (still years away from being commissioner) lends a hand when needed, and the first true Batmobile also makes an appearance.
Set during those early days in the Dark Knight's crime-fighting career - though the technology displayed is decidedly 21st-century - Monster Men features our title character taking on two factions that are uneasily working together. On the one side there is top Gotham crime boss Sal Marconi and his unending supply of goons, while on the other there is the jealous longtime adversary Professor Hugo Strange (who actually pre-dates appearances by better-known villains Joker and Penguin in the series during the 40's). The titular 'Monster Men' are a trio of genetically-enhanced yet grotesque guys - shades of Frankenstein's monster - turned into mindlessly harsh muscle working for Strange.
It was a pretty tight if not particulary memorable story, featuring Batman performing some actual investigative work along the usual head-bashing. Captain Jim Gordon (still years away from being commissioner) lends a hand when needed, and the first true Batmobile also makes an appearance.
January 11, 2015
Batman and the Monster Men is another tale by Matt Wagner that is set in the early years of Bruce’s war on crime. This book is really part one of a two part story continued in Batman and the Mad Monk. While these were collected separately, the books are really one story. Wagner does of great job of giving this Batman tale an old school, gangster noir kind of feel. Some of the set pieces seem to be lifted right out of a Chandler novel mixed with a dash of Univeral Monster flick. Matt's bridging the gap between Batman’s early battles with mobster types and the freakish creatures he would eventually encounter. I like that Bats is starting to have to put aside the rational and explainable and accept that there are some things even his brilliant mind can’t wrap itself around. I couldn’t help but think about Batman: The Animated Series while reading this one too. This book has similar qualities to classic episodes like "On Leather Wings" or "Moon of the Wolf".
Wagner’s love of Miller and Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One is obvious here. Bats is still honing his skills as a fledgling crime fighter. Rookie Bats is cool. He’s also learning how to balance being Batman with being Bruce Wayne. Bruce is still flirting with the idea of having a life without Bats at some point. Batman’s relationship with Gordon continues to evolve in this one as well. They are just starting to build trust in each other. Wagner also gives a lot of artistic nods to Year One. A couple of images are clearly meant to be a tribute to Mazzucchelli’s masterpiece. Matt’s art is simple by today’s standards, but it’s for that reason his stuff has always appealed to me. Here's a couple of bits from both books.
You get the idea.
This book also acts as something of an origin story for Hugo Strange. He is more of the “Dr. Frankenstein” type instead of the diabolical psychiatrist in this one. Personally, I like the twist. I never really bought into the demented Sigmund Freud persona. Not that I don’t think most shrinks are crooks, just not “scary” crooks. Other notable appearances include Sal Maroni, the original Batmobile, and a cameo by the Red Hood. This one’s loaded with fun little tidbits.
Matt is great at telling uncomplicated stories with a “classic” feel to them. He squeezes in just enough action and violence to keep my attention. I recognize that my love for most of Matt’s catalogue of work probably prevents me from giving an unbiased review, but fuck it. And while it’s not what I would label “required reading” for the average comic fan, I would certainly recommend a look-see if you’re a fan of any of Wagner’s other stuff, enjoyed Batman: Year One, or Batman: The Animated Series. The average Bat-fan will probably find a little something to appreciate in this one. And if you like it, make sure to check out Batman and the Mad Monk.
Get this review and more at:
Wagner’s love of Miller and Mazzucchelli’s Batman: Year One is obvious here. Bats is still honing his skills as a fledgling crime fighter. Rookie Bats is cool. He’s also learning how to balance being Batman with being Bruce Wayne. Bruce is still flirting with the idea of having a life without Bats at some point. Batman’s relationship with Gordon continues to evolve in this one as well. They are just starting to build trust in each other. Wagner also gives a lot of artistic nods to Year One. A couple of images are clearly meant to be a tribute to Mazzucchelli’s masterpiece. Matt’s art is simple by today’s standards, but it’s for that reason his stuff has always appealed to me. Here's a couple of bits from both books.
You get the idea.
This book also acts as something of an origin story for Hugo Strange. He is more of the “Dr. Frankenstein” type instead of the diabolical psychiatrist in this one. Personally, I like the twist. I never really bought into the demented Sigmund Freud persona. Not that I don’t think most shrinks are crooks, just not “scary” crooks. Other notable appearances include Sal Maroni, the original Batmobile, and a cameo by the Red Hood. This one’s loaded with fun little tidbits.
Matt is great at telling uncomplicated stories with a “classic” feel to them. He squeezes in just enough action and violence to keep my attention. I recognize that my love for most of Matt’s catalogue of work probably prevents me from giving an unbiased review, but fuck it. And while it’s not what I would label “required reading” for the average comic fan, I would certainly recommend a look-see if you’re a fan of any of Wagner’s other stuff, enjoyed Batman: Year One, or Batman: The Animated Series. The average Bat-fan will probably find a little something to appreciate in this one. And if you like it, make sure to check out Batman and the Mad Monk.
Get this review and more at:
March 10, 2017
Batman : Monster Men (2006)
Modern Batman #3
While I was reading this story, which is set in early crime fighting days of Batman, I couldn't shake the the feeling that Hugo strange and his faithful 'exotic-poisonous-dart-shooting' man servant Sanjay were in fact 70's Bond Villains!
If we are following the linear time line, this story marks the appearance of Hugo Strange as one of the first Batman's long term adversaries. Oh, also Batmobile debuts in this storyline!
Not a disappointing story, but not a great one either.
Modern Batman #3
While I was reading this story, which is set in early crime fighting days of Batman, I couldn't shake the the feeling that Hugo strange and his faithful 'exotic-poisonous-dart-shooting' man servant Sanjay were in fact 70's Bond Villains!
If we are following the linear time line, this story marks the appearance of Hugo Strange as one of the first Batman's long term adversaries. Oh, also Batmobile debuts in this storyline!
Not a disappointing story, but not a great one either.
March 11, 2019
Is it campy? Yes. Is it cheesy? Yes. Is it somewhat retro? Yes. But these are not at all bad qualities in a Batman story. I know many Batman fans look down on this story and in a way it really is not the most spectacular read. But for seasoned Batman comics readers there may be some great things to offer in this tale by Matt Wagner. Wagner does a great job with the characterization of Batman. There are times when reading this book I felt like I was watching an episode of the old Batman the Animated Series from the 90s. This story chronologically fits nicely behind Batman: Year One. Much of year one is referenced in this book. The artwork was nothing spectacular but was not horrible. The artwork fits the tone of the book perfectly. I never got bored with the book and it doesn't carry any weight on the over history of Batman except as it being Batman's first encounter with Hugo Strange. The language of the mobsters is stereotypical and I have to admit I did not care to much for Bruce's love interest. The minor characters other than Hugo Strange are somewhat forgettable. I still really going back to read a book about Batman in his early career. What really brought to this book was the rebooted monster men tale: Batman: Night of the Monster Men for DC Rebirth. I really enjoyed the Rebirth story as well. The later has a larger scope while this book works more like a single episode. I am looking forward to reading Wagner's other Batman book. Overall not to bad.
October 22, 2013
Set in the early days of Batman’s career, Monster Men follows the epic Year One storyline with a less than stellar volume that shares none of the preceding book’s quality. Monster Men has more in common with other early-Batman books that suck like Year Two, The Long Halloween, and Prey, the latter of which this book is a prequel to. It’s also a remake of a classic Batman story from 1940, so in theory, this book should be fun – except it’s not.
Matt Wagner tells the story no-one wanted to read of how Dr Hugo Strange became so obsessed with Batman in Prey. In this book – and in line with the campy b-movie horror tone of the book’s title and original story – Strange is a mad scientist trying to cure genetic defects inherited at birth, in order to create perfect humans. Except his experiments go horribly wrong and wind up giant, brain-dead cannibals. Because he’s broke and being hounded by creditors, Strange decides to harness these Monster Men’s strength to kill the gangsters he’s borrowed money from to get them off his back – enter Batman.
Monster Men could be a fun story – could – but this one isn’t because Wagner’s treatment of the story is so very unimaginative. The familiar gangsters – Maroni, Falcone, etc. – are still stereotypes, “talkin’ like dat, bawss – hey it’s da bat!”, toothpicks or cigars sticking out of their mouths, flipping coins, while Strange feels like he stepped out of a Hammer horror movie, making long mad-scientist-y speeches from his first appearance and even having a be-turbaned assistant called Rajan! I know this latter point is intentional as this book is supposed to echo cheesy horror movies and the 1940 Batman story, but it just doesn’t work here as the tone is far too serious. The Monster Men are exactly what you’d expect – caveman types with large, irregular teeth, low brows, and frequently near-naked to showcase their hairiness. How wrong can you go when trying to create a perfect human? Strange is the worst geneticist ever!
There’s a pointless attempt at a romance story between Bruce and Julie Madison, possibly the least memorable of Bruce’s girlfriends, which ties into the boring gangster storyline, and Bruce gets his first Batmobile. This book isn’t amazingly written or drawn especially well but neither are terrible - they’re just kinda average. I did like that Wagner referenced that panel in Year One where Bruce kicks a tree while training and Wagner replicates that movement exactly when Bruce is fighting the Monster Men. Also like a lot of other early Batman books, this one shows the decline of traditional crime figures like gangsters and the rise of the new criminals, the colourful villains like Strange, alongside the rise of the costumed vigilante. But inspired moments are unfortunately few in this book.
Strange sees Batman beating up his Monster Men and realises Batman is the perfect human specimen, instantly becoming obsessed with him leading in to the events of Prey –an awful and contrived reason, especially as the whole geneticist thing isn’t touched on in Prey where Strange has somehow reinvented himself instead as a prominent psychologist and master hypnotist!
Monster Men isn’t as awful as Prey but it’s still not good. Hugo Strange remains a crappy character whose presence in a book is a clear sign that what’s about to follow will be garbage. Wagner’s not a bad artist/writer but Monster Men is definitely not one of his better efforts. Books like Monster Men show why Batman’s best foes aren’t physically powerful, because guys who just hit things really hard tend not to produce imaginative stories while guys like Joker and Riddler become icons. Conceptually this is a good story, but the finished book is very poor.
Matt Wagner tells the story no-one wanted to read of how Dr Hugo Strange became so obsessed with Batman in Prey. In this book – and in line with the campy b-movie horror tone of the book’s title and original story – Strange is a mad scientist trying to cure genetic defects inherited at birth, in order to create perfect humans. Except his experiments go horribly wrong and wind up giant, brain-dead cannibals. Because he’s broke and being hounded by creditors, Strange decides to harness these Monster Men’s strength to kill the gangsters he’s borrowed money from to get them off his back – enter Batman.
Monster Men could be a fun story – could – but this one isn’t because Wagner’s treatment of the story is so very unimaginative. The familiar gangsters – Maroni, Falcone, etc. – are still stereotypes, “talkin’ like dat, bawss – hey it’s da bat!”, toothpicks or cigars sticking out of their mouths, flipping coins, while Strange feels like he stepped out of a Hammer horror movie, making long mad-scientist-y speeches from his first appearance and even having a be-turbaned assistant called Rajan! I know this latter point is intentional as this book is supposed to echo cheesy horror movies and the 1940 Batman story, but it just doesn’t work here as the tone is far too serious. The Monster Men are exactly what you’d expect – caveman types with large, irregular teeth, low brows, and frequently near-naked to showcase their hairiness. How wrong can you go when trying to create a perfect human? Strange is the worst geneticist ever!
There’s a pointless attempt at a romance story between Bruce and Julie Madison, possibly the least memorable of Bruce’s girlfriends, which ties into the boring gangster storyline, and Bruce gets his first Batmobile. This book isn’t amazingly written or drawn especially well but neither are terrible - they’re just kinda average. I did like that Wagner referenced that panel in Year One where Bruce kicks a tree while training and Wagner replicates that movement exactly when Bruce is fighting the Monster Men. Also like a lot of other early Batman books, this one shows the decline of traditional crime figures like gangsters and the rise of the new criminals, the colourful villains like Strange, alongside the rise of the costumed vigilante. But inspired moments are unfortunately few in this book.
Strange sees Batman beating up his Monster Men and realises Batman is the perfect human specimen, instantly becoming obsessed with him leading in to the events of Prey –an awful and contrived reason, especially as the whole geneticist thing isn’t touched on in Prey where Strange has somehow reinvented himself instead as a prominent psychologist and master hypnotist!
Monster Men isn’t as awful as Prey but it’s still not good. Hugo Strange remains a crappy character whose presence in a book is a clear sign that what’s about to follow will be garbage. Wagner’s not a bad artist/writer but Monster Men is definitely not one of his better efforts. Books like Monster Men show why Batman’s best foes aren’t physically powerful, because guys who just hit things really hard tend not to produce imaginative stories while guys like Joker and Riddler become icons. Conceptually this is a good story, but the finished book is very poor.
April 4, 2025
It's been a while since I read a good batman story, one that meets my expectations of the dark knight, focusing on his wit, cunning, and resourcefulness as the Bat, and Bruce's struggle to lead a semblance of a normal life, with his troubled psyche hanging just beyond the horizon.
This tale takes us to meet Dr. Strange and his obsession for genetic enhancements to create a perfect human, one that has corrections of all his physical flaws and limitations, and how his determination led him off track to creating monstrosities that are perfect in savagery, re-creating himself alongside them as a villain worthy of the Bat's attention
MiM
This tale takes us to meet Dr. Strange and his obsession for genetic enhancements to create a perfect human, one that has corrections of all his physical flaws and limitations, and how his determination led him off track to creating monstrosities that are perfect in savagery, re-creating himself alongside them as a villain worthy of the Bat's attention
MiM
November 30, 2019
Cool art and a few cool moments can't save this mostly snooze fest of a book. Too campy and cheesy. Not really worth reading TBH.
July 11, 2017
While not necessarily a bad story, it is a bit of a disappointment after the stellar Batman: Year One. Even though it was recommended on a few places I checked to read next for chronological order, I really think I could've done without it entirely and been perfectly happy.
This takes place pretty soon after Year One and is one of Batman's first encounters with a more unusual (and what will become the norm) super-powered villain. Hugo Strange is a scientist obsessed with making perfect humans. As per usual, this never works, and he's left with completely mad, giant, cannibalistic, ugly, hairy...creatures. There's also some romance going on with Julie Madison and Bruce Wayne that also feels a little...unimportant? Or perhaps more realistically, uninteresting. (But that might be my own bias showing.)
This is a quick read, and leads right into the next story arc of Batman and the Mad Monk. The dialogue does leave something to be desired after reading Frank Miller, and the art definitely suffers without Mazzucchelli's beautiful work. (Especially the women - poor things. They all kind of end up looking quite masculine and unattractive.) Stewart does try with the colors, but he doesn't have the quality of art to work with that Lewis did in Year One.
Overall, not terrible, but not one I would recommend as a must-read.
October 9, 2013
MINI REVIEW: it has been one year since the appearance of the Batman the local crime has learned to fear him but this is one of the early tales in which he deals with the supernatural. Batman's cleverness is well displayed in this tale. The batmobile is introduced. We meet one of Wayne's early lovers, see Dr. Hugo Strange in action and the early relationship between Gordon and the Bats. Artwork did a nice job playing on the shadowy elements in contrast to vivid lightings.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
OVERALL GRADE: B plus.
February 19, 2025
This is #3 in the Post-Crisis series, so it's very early on in Batman's career.
This instalment is the first part of Matt Wagner's two-part Dark Moon Rising series, which are expanded and modernized versions of early Batman stories.
Batman has his first encounter with Hugo Strange, who is doing weird genetic experiments that end up going wrong, and he ends up with giant, brain-dead cannibals that he uses to kill the gangsters he’s borrowed money from to get them off his back.
I think it's a good story but the finished book is very poor.
I was disappointed.
This instalment is the first part of Matt Wagner's two-part Dark Moon Rising series, which are expanded and modernized versions of early Batman stories.
Batman has his first encounter with Hugo Strange, who is doing weird genetic experiments that end up going wrong, and he ends up with giant, brain-dead cannibals that he uses to kill the gangsters he’s borrowed money from to get them off his back.
I think it's a good story but the finished book is very poor.
I was disappointed.
November 30, 2019
Matt Wagner places his story at an interesting nexus, as supervillains start to infiltrate the world of Batman's Year One. And, he makes that intersection interesting, by having Huge Strange come into conflict with one of Gotham's crime families. Unfortunately, the story's plotting doesn't hold up to that great premise. It's too often slow and ponderous, and Batman sometimes feels a bit too much like Hunter Rose's Grendel. Still, it's got a great early relationship for Bruce, and the ending is quite exciting.
April 29, 2021
The ratings for this one on goodreads surprise me , coz honestly I enjoyed this a lot . I thought Matt Wagner did a wonderful job in recreating the feel of the Batman the animated series . The story was approximately set in Year 2 of Batman and debuted Dr Strange . The main focus however was Batman squaring off with Marconi and most on display was his detective skills . The story for major part was grounded in reality , but towards the midway point became a little supernatural but even that was explained away . As I said , if u grew up watching Batman the animated series , or if that show was your entry into the batman world , I bet you would like this . The only downside of the book was the art , which is subjective imo and their speed of narration which was arguably slow at most times . Overall I enjoyed it a lot
January 24, 2013
Solid Batman versus some monsters story, from the same writer as Batman and the Mad Monk (Vampire story). This is set early in the Batman timeline, with love interest Julie Madison, as well as mobster Sal Maroni, and also features prominently Hugo Strange. Entertaining, but nothing essential.
January 18, 2022
This one was so good!
I loved this one.
Its such a thrill ride of a read and I love the way its written and yes its retro and noir but its the perfect Batman story that I like and you havee a typical gf and his investigation into a case connected to his real life somewhat and going against insane odds and challenges and then defeating them and I love the way the writer highlights Bruce's detective work and the partnership with Gordon is well defined here and the art for the most part is pretty good. Its grim and gritty which I want a Batman story to be and its perfect! Really enjoyed it and one of the better Batman books I have read.
I loved this one.
Its such a thrill ride of a read and I love the way its written and yes its retro and noir but its the perfect Batman story that I like and you havee a typical gf and his investigation into a case connected to his real life somewhat and going against insane odds and challenges and then defeating them and I love the way the writer highlights Bruce's detective work and the partnership with Gordon is well defined here and the art for the most part is pretty good. Its grim and gritty which I want a Batman story to be and its perfect! Really enjoyed it and one of the better Batman books I have read.
July 29, 2019
The next book in my DC re-read list. It makes more sense for this to be set between Year One and The Man Who Laughs in my DC chronology, but since I read it all before it's not like I needed to worry about spoilers.
I like that Bruce and Hugo Strange are two sides of the same coin. They both came from childhood tragedy, both trained their bodies to peak physical condition, both have taken matters into their own hands to do what they think is right. Granted one of them is creating giant monster men, so it's a little more black and white than I may be letting on.
Having this story set so early on allows Wagner to explore the early days of Batman and Bruce Wayne. He doesn't have a lot of gadgets and tricks, he's still figuring things out, and I like that it's very much about street level thugs for a lot of it. Seeing Batman fight mobsters is a nice change of pace from the regular super villains he later faced.
The exploration of Bruce's personal life reminded me a lot of Mask Of The Phantasm. Bruce isn't as emotionally connected in this one, but it does show the disconnect between him being happy and his crusade as Batman. One is always going to lose out to the other.
This is also the first appearance in this chronology of sassy Alfred, may he live forever.
The art is also really solid, Matt Wagner's style definitely suits Batman. I'm keeping my original rating of 4 stars.
I like that Bruce and Hugo Strange are two sides of the same coin. They both came from childhood tragedy, both trained their bodies to peak physical condition, both have taken matters into their own hands to do what they think is right. Granted one of them is creating giant monster men, so it's a little more black and white than I may be letting on.
Having this story set so early on allows Wagner to explore the early days of Batman and Bruce Wayne. He doesn't have a lot of gadgets and tricks, he's still figuring things out, and I like that it's very much about street level thugs for a lot of it. Seeing Batman fight mobsters is a nice change of pace from the regular super villains he later faced.
The exploration of Bruce's personal life reminded me a lot of Mask Of The Phantasm. Bruce isn't as emotionally connected in this one, but it does show the disconnect between him being happy and his crusade as Batman. One is always going to lose out to the other.
This is also the first appearance in this chronology of sassy Alfred, may he live forever.
The art is also really solid, Matt Wagner's style definitely suits Batman. I'm keeping my original rating of 4 stars.
June 15, 2018
As a 'year two' thing, it kind of works. It is essentially a horror comic, and the art is more underground than mainstream.
Bronze age kids remember the monster men from Batman (1940-2011) #1:
March 25, 2020
Batman and the Monster Men is an enjoyable read, but nothing out of the extra-ordinary. We get a glimpse of Batman being Batman and Alfred being Alfred, but many other characters felt underdeveloped.
November 8, 2012
A six-issue mini-series made as a sequel to year one and is supposedly Batman's first mission.
This mini-series deals with batman facing Dr. Hugo Strange who is conducting genetic experiments on people he encounters that he dislikes and mental patients from Arkham Aslyum. He borrows money from gangsters to fund his experiments. He experiments in order to reverse deficiencies from birth, but all his test subjects become monster men, gigantic cannibalistic beasts. He uses them to steal money to pay back his loans and Batman eventually fights them and Strange begins to believe Batman is the perfect man.
Bruce Wayne is seeing Julie Madison at this time and it is shown that her father is doing business with Salvatore Maroni, the same man funding Strange's experiments. Strange eventually uses the Monster Men to kill the gangsters under Maroni and this catches his attention and has him on alert. Maroni relocates and Strange eventually tracks him down and sends his monster men after him. While at the estate he's been moved to, Julie's father comes to visit Maroni to pay him back the money he borrowed. A lot of gangsters are killed and Batman gets involved in the fight ad tries to stop them, in the end Maroni survives, Batman saves Julies father, and the monster men and all proof linking Hugo Strange to the crime is destroyed, so he lives with no punishment for his crimes. Julie's father however, is afraid because he believes Batman will come after him because of his dealings with Maroni and becomes mentally unstable.
There is a sequel called Batman and the Mad Monk.
This mini-series deals with batman facing Dr. Hugo Strange who is conducting genetic experiments on people he encounters that he dislikes and mental patients from Arkham Aslyum. He borrows money from gangsters to fund his experiments. He experiments in order to reverse deficiencies from birth, but all his test subjects become monster men, gigantic cannibalistic beasts. He uses them to steal money to pay back his loans and Batman eventually fights them and Strange begins to believe Batman is the perfect man.
Bruce Wayne is seeing Julie Madison at this time and it is shown that her father is doing business with Salvatore Maroni, the same man funding Strange's experiments. Strange eventually uses the Monster Men to kill the gangsters under Maroni and this catches his attention and has him on alert. Maroni relocates and Strange eventually tracks him down and sends his monster men after him. While at the estate he's been moved to, Julie's father comes to visit Maroni to pay him back the money he borrowed. A lot of gangsters are killed and Batman gets involved in the fight ad tries to stop them, in the end Maroni survives, Batman saves Julies father, and the monster men and all proof linking Hugo Strange to the crime is destroyed, so he lives with no punishment for his crimes. Julie's father however, is afraid because he believes Batman will come after him because of his dealings with Maroni and becomes mentally unstable.
There is a sequel called Batman and the Mad Monk.
December 25, 2020
Taking place shortly after Batman Year One, Bruce is still growing used to his life as a crimefighter, hiding his identity and balancing his busy double life with his romantic relationships with women and his complex relationship with the police. A mad scientist adequately named Dr. Strange is performing all kinds of sick experiments that turn people into a monsters and unleashing horror in Gotham. The father of Batman's new girlfriend Sarah gets himself wrapped up in some money scandals that get him in trouble with the doctor and a gang of mafia thugs. Batman being Batman dives into the bottom of the situation to put an end to the madness.
The main plot is decent, but the real joy of this arc is watching Bruce learn how difficult it can be to balance a healthy social life with his alter ego of a brooding vigilante. He has no time, he makes himself look suspicious by disappearing all the time, he's forced to keep everyone at a distance out of fear of getting them involved in his dangerous affairs, playing the role of a hero can be very tiring and depressing.
***
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The main plot is decent, but the real joy of this arc is watching Bruce learn how difficult it can be to balance a healthy social life with his alter ego of a brooding vigilante. He has no time, he makes himself look suspicious by disappearing all the time, he's forced to keep everyone at a distance out of fear of getting them involved in his dangerous affairs, playing the role of a hero can be very tiring and depressing.
***
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August 22, 2007
This was pure Bat-goodness, hands down. Matt Wagner managed to pick up the stride of the Batman world immediately after "Batman Year One" with out really making it feel out side of the normal narrative timestream.
This is a very interesting Batman/Bruce Wayne to read about, as he is still finding his way. He has some experience under his belt, but he is still fairly new at being Gothams's Dark Knight. I think Matt Wagner does a very good job of writing this aspect of the character.
I also found the added twist of an early genetic manipulation foe, fore shadowing the eventual arrival of Man-Bat, very interesting. Professor Strange is very real, and at times I almost sympathise with him.
I would like to also say I found it very entertaining that Matt Wagner (a man in my mind, famour for among other things giving us the very magical/mythical world of "Mage: Hero Discovered"..et all) put what are essentially Ogres (or trolls depending on how you define them) into a non-magical Batman story. Good work sir!
I wish I could find something bad to say about this book, but even the art was great. I liked the way it maintained the Matt Wagner "Mage" feel. I am only sad that perhaps the character of Professor Strange will die with this storyline. I hope not. I hope we see a return to the Professor Strange, with even more unusual mutations in the future.
This is a very interesting Batman/Bruce Wayne to read about, as he is still finding his way. He has some experience under his belt, but he is still fairly new at being Gothams's Dark Knight. I think Matt Wagner does a very good job of writing this aspect of the character.
I also found the added twist of an early genetic manipulation foe, fore shadowing the eventual arrival of Man-Bat, very interesting. Professor Strange is very real, and at times I almost sympathise with him.
I would like to also say I found it very entertaining that Matt Wagner (a man in my mind, famour for among other things giving us the very magical/mythical world of "Mage: Hero Discovered"..et all) put what are essentially Ogres (or trolls depending on how you define them) into a non-magical Batman story. Good work sir!
I wish I could find something bad to say about this book, but even the art was great. I liked the way it maintained the Matt Wagner "Mage" feel. I am only sad that perhaps the character of Professor Strange will die with this storyline. I hope not. I hope we see a return to the Professor Strange, with even more unusual mutations in the future.
July 14, 2014
The story takes places shortly after Batman Year One as we continue to follow a young an still unexperienced Batman.
This story involves one of my favorite villains, Hugo Strange. I have a love-hate relationship with him.
I hate him so much that I love him as a villain. Hugo Strange tries to outsmart the mob by paying them back a loan with their own money he had stolen at a poker game.
He is trying to create super men but instead creates monster men.
If you are like me and love to dig into the older stories before you start with the New 52 stories or if you're following the New 52 and want to start reading some older Batman stories, put this one on your list!
It has great art, I love the brownish tones and the speech bubbles especially the narrative ones.
Catwoman makes an appearance, Batman even makes a reference to their first encounter in Batman Year One.
Pick this one up, it's a great read and if you like this one, pick up it's sequel Batman and the Mad Monk!
This story involves one of my favorite villains, Hugo Strange. I have a love-hate relationship with him.
I hate him so much that I love him as a villain. Hugo Strange tries to outsmart the mob by paying them back a loan with their own money he had stolen at a poker game.
He is trying to create super men but instead creates monster men.
If you are like me and love to dig into the older stories before you start with the New 52 stories or if you're following the New 52 and want to start reading some older Batman stories, put this one on your list!
It has great art, I love the brownish tones and the speech bubbles especially the narrative ones.
Catwoman makes an appearance, Batman even makes a reference to their first encounter in Batman Year One.
Pick this one up, it's a great read and if you like this one, pick up it's sequel Batman and the Mad Monk!
April 6, 2015
Very good! So this takes place shortly after Year One, batman is still fighting the mafia, the early days of batman's career. First off the art was awesome, i like how the artist draws characters, specifically batman! The story is also good, simple and easy to follow, my kind of story! I also liked how they did the narration, the book is narrated by many characters: first 2 pages would be narrated by Gordon, then Batman, then Hugo Strange etc, i feel it was a unique writing style. Hugo Strange is the villain for this one, and you get to see why he becomes obsessed with Batman.
May 12, 2016
Loved this one especially Bruce and Julie !!
June 6, 2018
Simple but sophisticated artwork, this title tells the story of Bat-man fighting Maroni, romancing Julie Madison, and meeting Professor Hugo Strange. Fun.
January 29, 2019
Pretty good crime horror novel. Ive read better Batman stories though.
January 10, 2023
This was good. It's basically an updated retelling of one of the first Batman stories ever featuring Hugo Strange and his "monster men." Julie Madison shows up as well, who was also in the very early stories. Great art and a great story.
December 14, 2024
3.75/5 Stars
Individual issues rated below -
Batman & the Monster Men #1: 4/5
Batman & the Monster Men #2: 4/5
Batman & the Monster Men #3: 3.5/5
Batman & the Monster Men #4: 4.5/5
Batman & the Monster Men #5: 3/5
Batman & the Monster Men #6: 3.5/5
Individual issues rated below -
Batman & the Monster Men #1: 4/5
Batman & the Monster Men #2: 4/5
Batman & the Monster Men #3: 3.5/5
Batman & the Monster Men #4: 4.5/5
Batman & the Monster Men #5: 3/5
Batman & the Monster Men #6: 3.5/5
July 30, 2024
Matt Wagner’s “Batman and the Monster Men” is the first part of “Dark Moon Rising,” a two-part series about the early days of Batman. Up until this point, Batman has only dealt with street-level criminals. Now he must face Dr. Hugo Strange and his cannibalistic mutant giants! We also get to see the first run of the Batmobile.
I was skeptical of this series based on the cover art. It seemed a bit cartoony. However, the story is pretty gruesome at points and the art did just fine.
Now onto the second half, “Batman and the Mad Monk!”
I was skeptical of this series based on the cover art. It seemed a bit cartoony. However, the story is pretty gruesome at points and the art did just fine.
Now onto the second half, “Batman and the Mad Monk!”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews